Pilea

An indoor succulent, shade-loving herb - and you will love it too.

Common name : Pilea

Scientific name : Pilea spp.

Family : Urticaceae

Category : Indoor

Type of plant : Perennial

Pilea is the largest genus of flowering plants in the nettle family Urticaceae. It is distributed throughout the tropics, subtropics, and warm temperate regions (with the exception of Australia and New Zealand).
The majority of species are succulent, shade-loving herbs or shrubs. One of the most used species is P. Peperomioïdes - with its funny round-shaped leaves dangling from long stems.

Sowing & planting

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Caracteristics

Exposition

Water needs

Granulométrie

plants.granulometry_4

Frost-resistance

Medium

Zone USDA

10a

Height

15 - 60

pH

6 - 7

Identify my pilea

Not easy to identify the pileas, some looks like lamium, others like coleus ... they are polymorphous ;-)
They bear evergreen leaves, often grouped in pairs, thick, waxy, sometimes stained with white. One of the most popular species is Pilea peperomioïdes, which bears round funny leaves, on long petioles.
The leaves of pileas are very variable, they can be embossed, variegated, waxy, or thick.
Some pileas are shrubs, others have the appearance of herbaceous ground cover.
The flowering in small cream or pink flowers is rather rare, and presents little interest because it is very discrete.

Plant my pilea

To choose the location, you need a bright place without too much direct sun - especially that of the afternoon - and away from the radiators. Pileas are small-growing plants, a 3 liters pot is often enough.
For planting use potting soil for indoor plant - rather woody so - or a beautiful compost well decomposed and very woody, very draining. It is sometimes advisable to add peat, but it is a nonrenewable resource, so it's up to you ... Beware, the pilea likes moist, do not place them in a draft!

Water my pilea

You should water your pileas twice a week on average, when the upper soil has dried. Of course, you will have to adapt the frequency according to the seasons and water only every 12 days in winter.
N.B: The pilea is a neutral to acid soil plant, avoid watering it with tap water, which is usually limestone.

Spray my pilea

In dry weather, spray your plant with soft water, clean the dust on the leaves: it will be all the more beautiful!

Repot my pilea

Every year, in March, change some of the earth of the pot, or find a bigger pot. Use potting soil for indoor plant - rather woody - or a beautiful compost well decomposed an dwoody.

Fertilize my pilea

In summer, pour every 2 weeks a liquid fertilizer for green plants - or a good compost juice diluted to 1/10 if you have some!
A slow-release fertilizer is possible ...
Stop every fertilizing in the fall, and until the end of the following spring.